Zion National Park

A couple weeks ago we took a wonderful trip down to Zion National Park!  We tagged along with my family on the trip and had a great time!

We drove down Sunday and got there in the late afternoon.  We got all settled and got some Mexican food for dinner.

Monday morning, Mark got up and out early so he and my Dad could hike Angels Landing together.  I have zero desire to ever do this hike but I was so glad that Mark could do it with my Dad.  It was definitely the highlight of the trip for Mark!

We had the longest night with Benjamin but were determined to have a good next day - and we did!  Benjamin even had a great day too (despite the little amount of sleep that he got) and seemed to get back on track.  While the men folk did Angel's Landing we headed up the canyon and did the Weeping Rock Trail.  This was easy peasy but was great for the kiddos.

 

We then hopped back on the shuttle (which may have been the highlight for the kiddos!) and did the Lower Emerald Pool trail.  I was so proud of Sarah who was getting tired but was determined to do it herself - and she did!

We then headed back to the hotel and met up with our menfolk for lunch and some downtime in the hotel room.  After lunch we laid Benjamin down for a nap and Mark and I took Jacob and Sarah up to the visitor's center to stamp our passport books, pick out some souvenirs and look around the museum.

Next we headed back to the hotel and picked up the rest of our crew and picked up our supplies for our next day's hike.  We headed for dinner and completely gorged ourselves on burgers and fries!

The next morning we got up early to catch the first shuttle up the canyon to hike The Narrows.  My mom was very generous and offered to watch the kiddos for us.  The hike up was beautiful.  It was the perfect temperature up the canyon and since we were early risers we hardly saw anyone on our hike up.

The hike was absolutely beautiful!  We had a great time with one another.

We came back in the early afternoon and were so glad that we came when we did.  The hike out was much less enjoyable.  The further out we got the more absolutely crowded it became.  We were happy to get out when we did.  We came back and relaxed at the hotel with the kiddos and got all cleaned up.  

We then filled up on pizza and ice cream after our long day!  It was the perfect ending.  The next morning we packed up and headed home.  We drove out through the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and enjoyed catching the last sights of this beautiful place!

8 Monrths

Time is flying by with this handsome little man and we can't believe he is
eight months old.  

Benjamin is staying right on track with his growth.  He is 27 1/4 inches in length (34%), weighs 17 pounds 13 ounces (22%), and has a head circumference of 44 cm (27%).  He moved up to nine month size clothes.  His routine is still the same with two naps.  

Benjamin continues to be a crawling machine!  He still army crawls but has started to get into the traditional crawling position and is rocking back and forth.  He loves getting into everything that he can get his hands on - and put it straight into his mouth!

He is also developing his voice.  Benjamin has gotten very good at his "squawk" sound!  He is always squawking around at us and we love him for it.  

Benjamin has also been sitting up more.  I've been forcing him to sit up more this month and he is definitely getting a lot more secure with it.  But unless I am sitting there with him, he is pretty quick to just get back to crawling and rolling.  Silly boy.  

We love you, sweet boy.  

Dress Ups

After our time at Raspberry Days we headed down to North Ogden to stay the night with Gus, Darlene and Brian.  The kiddos love spending time with them and, of course, loved all of Grandma's wonderful dress-ups.  We had a great night having dinner and playing Phase 10!

Raspberry Days

This last weekend was Raspberry Days!  We didn't do much with it but we did walk down for a little bit on Saturday to look at the craft fair and entertainment.  And, of course, had a raspberry shake (while the kiddos had their ice cream cones)!  We tried to convince the kiddos to get some face painting or something but they weren't interested (WHAT?!) so we didn't stay long but it's always fun to spend some time together!

Crafting

Here is a glimpse of our daily life!  These kiddos LOVE crafting!  They are so happy to sit with me and create anything.  Jacob, especially, could sit with me all day long and craft.  I love these little ones.  

Berning Family Reunion

A couple weeks ago we had a wonderful Berning Family Reunion up here in Bear Lake - and it was great!

We all arrived Friday night and got settled and played games to the wee hours of the night!  We finally defeated Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters!

Saturday we got up and ready to head to North Beach!  We had a great little spot and enjoyed our morning at the beach.  Jacob and Amelia were busy creating all sorts of things in the sand - and Sarah tried her best to destroy all of their efforts!  Mark tried paddleboarding and played baseball in the lake.  Benjamin and I mostly hung out on the beach, sleeping (well one of us was sleeping!) and chatting.  

After lunch we headed back and actually went back to our house so that kiddos could get a good nap in.  Once they woke up we headed back over to the family cabin.  We ate dinner and then I got some stuff to do nails with the girls.  After that, we went inside to play a great family history bingo game.  I think everyone had a great time with that!  That night was another late one playing Pandemic.

Sunday we relaxed the morning away until church.  That afternoon we went to church and then enjoyed celebrating Kaylee's 16th birthday!  We opened presents and had a pinata.  It was a great time by all!  That night we stayed up playing the name game and Risk.  

Monday we all packed up and headed home.  It was a great weekend with family!  We missed those that weren't able to make it!